[30 minutes from Nagoya] Enjoy the castle town of Ogaki at a great price! A day trip guide using a travel pass.

Just 30 minutes from Nagoya Station lies Ogaki , a castle town steeped in Japanese history and water culture. Here, we introduce the "Puratto Nishimino Tsuko Tegata" an item that allows you to explore Ogaki affordably. For just 600 yen, this tourist pass offers access to cultural facilities and hospitality at participating shops.

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Ogaki Tourism Association

Located in the center of Nishi Mino in the western part of Gifu Prefecture, Ogaki is blessed with an abundance of groundwater, so much so that it has long been known as the "City of Water." Known as the birthplace of haiku poet Matsuo Basho's travelogue "The Narrow Road to the Deep North," the town is also home to Ogaki Castle, which served as the base of Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army during the Battle of Sekigahara, and Sunomata Ichiya Castle, said to have been built in one night by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From late March to May, the town is home to boat rides, tub boats, and the Ogaki Festival, which was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site in 2016.

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What is the "Puratto Nishimino Tsuko Tegata"?

This modern travel passport, made from a wooden masu (square wooden measuring box), is inspired by the "Tsuko Tegata（travel permits）" of the Edo period. A "Tsuko Tegata" was a kind of identification document required for travelers to pass through checkpoints during the Edo period. This "Puratto Nishimino Tsuko Tegata" is named after that document. With just one of these, you can enter cultural facilities or receive hospitality at participating shops five times, making it a great value tourist passport for travelers.

Click here for details on the "Puratto Nishimino Tsuko Tegata".

Set contents and how to use them

The selling price is only 600 yen (tax included). When you purchase the handprint, the following two items are included in the set.

● Wooden Masu (3-shaku masu): A wooden masu, a traditional craft of Ogaki. With its cute size of 56mm (length) x 56mm (width) x 39mm (height), it makes a great souvenir of your trip.

● Nishimino Tsuko Tegata Pass (5 tickets): Tickets to be used at participating facilities and shops.

It's very simple to use.

1. Purchase a travel permit at a sales outlet.

2. Choose 5 of your favorite locations from the participating cultural facilities and shops.

3. At cultural facilities, present your pass, get a "memory stamp" in your wooden box, and enter for free.

4. At participating stores, present your pass, get a "memory stamp" in your wooden masu cup, and receive a special treat (such as a gift).

The pass is valid from the date of purchase until March 31st. You can use it in multiple visits, even if you can't visit all the locations in one day. It is sold at a total of 16 locations, including the Mino Tourist Information Center (2nd floor of JR Ogaki Station) and the Oku no Hosomichi Haiku Journey Museum.

Experience the charm of Ogaki with a travel pass.

The charm of a compact castle town that can be explored on foot.

Many of Ogaki's tourist attractions are located within a 15-20 minute walk from JR Ogaki Station. The greatest charm of Ogaki tourism is that you can casually drop by and enjoy a stroll. The scenery along the SUIMON River, the old townscape, the delicious natural springs that gush forth everywhere, and the sweet aroma of Japanese sweets wafting from somewhere—these all contribute to the tranquil atmosphere that is so characteristic of Ogaki.

"MIZU MANJU" - Ogaki's summer specialty

When visiting Ogaki, one must-try is "MIZU MANJU."Ogaki has long been known as the "City of Water," famous for its abundant supply of high-quality groundwater. MIZU MANJU, is a summer Japanese confection consisting of sweet bean paste wrapped in a transparent dough made from kudzu starch. When you put it in your mouth, a refreshing coolness and gentle sweetness spread throughout.

There are several shops within walking distance of Ogaki Station where you can enjoy MIZU MANJU) .

A shop selling "mizu manju" (MIZU MANJU) within walking distance from Ogaki Station.

* MIZU MANJU) are typically sold from April to September each year (this may vary depending on the store).

Masu (wooden measuring cup): A traditional craft that Ogaki is proud of.

The wooden masu (wooden measuring cup) that comes with the travel pass is actually a traditional craft, with Ogaki accounting for approximately 80% of the national market share. As you collect stamps along your journey, the masu will become your own personal "travel record." In addition, at "masu cafe" (a participating store in the Puratto Mino Travel Pass program), a rare cafe specializing in wooden masu, you can enjoy drinks and sweets served in them. Enjoying a cafe time surrounded by the scent of cypress is also a unique experience only available in Ogaki.

Free entry with a pass! A tour of cultural facilities in Ogaki

With a pass, you can enter Ogaki's most representative cultural facilities for free. It's wonderful to be able to easily experience the history of Ogaki, a castle town steeped in history. Here, we introduce three cultural facilities within walking distance of Ogaki Station.

Ogaki Castle

503-0887 2-52 Kakumachi, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture

Ogaki Castle is said to have been built in 1535 by Kichizaemon Miyagawa, a military commander from the Toki clan who was the governor of Mino. During the Battle of Sekigahara, it became the headquarters of Ishida Mitsunari of the Western Army. After that, the Toda clan became the lord of the castle with 100,000 koku, and the period of peace continued until the Meiji period. It was designated as a national treasure in 1936, but was destroyed in a war in July 1945. In April 1959, the castle tower was rebuilt and became the symbol of the castle town of Ogaki.

Ogaki City Kyodo Kan(Local History Museum)

2-4 Marunouchi, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, 503-0888

It was constructed as part of the 350th anniversary commemoration of Toda entry into the castle, and opened on October 9, Showa. This facility aims to promote local culture by honoring the successive lords of the Ogaki domain, the Toda family, and by showcasing works of art and other artifacts by the wise men who built the historical and cultural landscape of Ogaki, introducing the origins and current state of our Ogaki. Exhibition Contents: • Toda Lord Commemoration Room: Displays portraits of successive feudal lords, armor, and furnishings bearing the Kuyo crest; audio guide corner with headphones. • Local Art Room: Displays artwork by local historical figures. • Local History Room: Introduces the history and current state of the region; displays timelines and documents. • Entrance Lobby Replica of Toda Ujitsune on horseback, bust of Toda Ujitomo, 1/200 scale model of Ogaki Castle, replica of the Battle of Sekigahara folding screen - Exhibitions by local artists from the past and present, photography exhibitions of local artists from Ogaki, etc.

Oku no Hosomichi Musubi no Chi Memorial Museum

503-0923 2-26-1 Funamachi, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture

The Oku-no-Hosomichi Musubi-no-chi Memorial Museum is located right next to Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato, which has been selected as a National Scenic Place and a scenic spot along the Oku-no-hosomichi route. There is the Bashokan, where you can see materials related to Matsuo Basho and Oku no Hosomichi, as well as 3D images, and the Senkenkan, which introduces the achievements of Ogaki's predecessors. We welcome sightseeing visitors with a full range of facilities such as the Exchange Hall.

A itinerary you can enjoy in half a day

We suggest a half-day course starting from Ogaki Station, using the "Puratto Nishimino Tsuko Tegata". All locations are accessible on foot. Leave your large luggage in the coin lockers at Ogaki Station and set off unencumbered.

9:00 Purchase a travel pass at the Nishimino Tourist Information Center (2nd floor of JR Ogaki Station).

Start by purchasing a pass at the tourist information center on the second floor of Ogaki Station. Also, pick up a tourist map to get an idea of ​​your itinerary.

↓ Approximately 10 minutes on foot

9:30 Visit Ogaki Castle and Kyodo Kan(Local History Museum)

From the castle tower, you can overlook the city and learn about Ogaki 's history at the Kyodo Kan(Local History Museum) . Two passes are required to visit both facilities.

↓ Approximately 15 minutes on foot

11:00 Visit the Oku no Hosomichi Haiku Journey Museum.

One pass is required. The adjacent "Funamachi Kawaminato" is a scenic spot designated as a national scenic spot.

↓ Approximately 15 minutes on foot

12:30 Lunch and coffee break on Ogaki Eki Dori

You can also find "masu café" and a shop MIZU MANJU in this area.

Masu Cafe

2-9 Higashisotomachi, Hirose Second Building 1F, Ogaki City, Gifu Pref...

In the fall of 2018, Ohashi Ryoki opened "masu cafe" in the shopping district of Ogaki City! Why not come see, touch, and use a masu, a traditional Japanese measuring cup with a 1300-year history? A wall made of a masu (wooden measuring cup), a table made of a masu, a plate made of a masu. At masu cafe, you'll discover ways to use masu (wooden measuring cups) you never knew existed! Enjoy the perfect pairing of cypress wood aroma and coffee with "MASUPRESSO". Bake it in the oven in the masu (wooden box), A chiffon cake with a subtle cypress scent: "MASU CHIFFON" Enjoy drinks and sweets that you can only find here. We also have a merchandise corner inside the store, so please feel free to pick up any items that caught your eye at the cafe as souvenirs.

13:30 Purchase souvenirs at participating stores with travel passes.

By presenting your pass, you can receive special hospitality at each store.

*The hospitality offered may vary depending on the store and time of year, and may include Japanese sweets or souvenirs.

14:00 To Ogaki Station

Let's look at the wooden masu (wooden measuring cup) with the stamp pressed into it and reminisce about our travel memories.

Basic Information / Access

"Puratto Nishimino Tsuko Tegata" Basic Information

Access by train

● Nagoya Station → Ogaki Station: Approximately 30 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line (Rapid)

● Gifu Station → Ogaki Station: Approximately 10 minutes on the JR Tokaido Main Line

● Maibara Station → Ogaki Station: Approximately 30 minutes on the JR Tokaido Main Line

Upon arriving at Ogaki Station, head to the Mino Tourist Information Center (on the 2nd floor), which is located right outside the ticket gate.

Access by car

● Approximately 10 minutes from the Ogaki Interchange on the Meishin Expressway

If you're traveling by car, we recommend starting at the Oku no Hosomichi Haiku Journey Museum. Parking is free, and you can also purchase a travel pass there. Ogaki Castle, the Kyodo Kan(Local History Museum), the Ogaki Eki Dori shopping street, and the walking path along the SUIMON River are all within walking distance, but you can get around even more smoothly by using a rental bicycle (for a fee).

summary

A small wooden masu (wooden measuring cup) costing 600 yen can be the starting point for encountering the history of a castle town. That's the "Pratto Nishimino Tsuko Tegata" This town, just 30 minutes from Nagoya, has a lot of little treasures. Refreshing MIZU MANJU, the view from the castle tower, the river scenery that Basho saw at the end of his journey. Be sure to walk around and experience its charm for yourself.

For a stroll around the city, we recommend the area along the SUIMON River! The promenade along the SUIMON River offers different scenery in each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and vibrant autumn leaves. Just walking along the river will give you a truly Ogaki experience.

The information in this article is current as of August 2026. Opening hours, closing days, and prices may change, so please check the official website before visiting.